Asia’s Genome Treatment Investments and the Upcoming Revolution

Several Asian countries are taking the step forward to try the gene-editing techniques and are making good investments in genome treatment to bring about a revolution in both the healthcare industry as well as the countries’ economies on the whole.

Since the 1950s, i.e., the earliest days of genome treatment, Europe and the United States have tried to dominate the field. Nonetheless, Asian countries like China have been able to surface the competition and thrive.

In the genomic space, China’s genome treatment investments are next level. The government lately introduced an important Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) that can cost as high as $9 billion over a course of next 15 years. On the contrary, Obama’s genome treatment investment plan accounted for a total amount of $215 million. The plan is exposed to uncertain projection and events under the Trump regime.

While the debate on whether the research that is led by the government is more or less effective than those conducted privately is unending, there is no question that China’s genome investment plan and PMI will further entice a lot of private investors.

Apart from China, other Asian countries are also taking their baby steps toward the introduction of genome treatment. For example, Softbank in Japan escorted a $360 million investment in Guardant Health that is a firm working on new ways to diagnose and treat cancer based on blood samples.

Likewise, Singapore is slowly gearing up to become another genomic hotspot. The leaders have been successful in developing an innovation ecosystem. The system has been attracting big names like Human Longevity Inc. that is a healthcare company focused on genomics, offering high-quality health screening services. An investment firm owned by the government called Temasek has also shown willingness to invest in genome treatment.

Nonetheless, the public still has questions on the kinds of direct-to-consumer genetic tests that will be permissible based on their culture, religion, and safety concerns, the role of genetic counselors, etc. Genomics enterprises may also be a subject of religious and regulatory challenges in Asia but with adequate research and data, the world is eventually expected to make a shift.

Despite everything, one thing is very clear and that is that Asia’s genome treatment investment and endeavors are large-scale and the continent will be playing the lead role in the genomic space for the years to come.

This is what should ultimately matter to everyone, i.e., increased treatment options and lifespan. The more the involvement and genome treatment investments, the higher are the chances for the field to progress and benefit people.

Ceteris Paribas, there is just one entity that will be disadvantaged because of Asia’s genome treatment investments and its progress in the genomic world, and that is none other than the United States that is running far behind!